Q: What are the factor combinations of the number 304,381?

 A:
Positive:   1 x 3043817 x 4348311 x 2767159 x 515967 x 454377 x 3953413 x 737469 x 649
Negative: -1 x -304381-7 x -43483-11 x -27671-59 x -5159-67 x -4543-77 x -3953-413 x -737-469 x -649


How do I find the factor combinations of the number 304,381?

Unfortunately, there's not simple formula to identifying all of the factors of a number and it can be a tedious process when trying to identify the divisors of larger numbers. To find the factor combinations of the number 304,381, it is easier to work with a table - it's called factoring from the outside in.

Outside in Factoring

We start by creating a table and writing 1 on the left side and then the number we're trying to find the factors for on the right side in a table. Then, below that, write the numbers as a negative as well.

1 304,381
-1 -304,381

Why are the negative numbers included?

When you multiply two negative numbers together, you get a positive number. That means both the positive and negative numbers are factors of 304,381.

Example:
1 x 304,381 = 304,381
and
-1 x -304,381 = 304,381
Notice both answers equal 304,381

With that explanation out of the way, let's continue. Next, we take the number 304,381 and divide it by 2:

304,381 ÷ 2 = 152,190.5

If the quotient is a whole number, then 2 and 152,190.5 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 304,381
-1 -304,381

Now, we try dividing 304,381 by 3:

304,381 ÷ 3 = 101,460.3333

If the quotient is a whole number, then 3 and 101,460.3333 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 304,381
-1 -304,381

Let's try dividing by 4:

304,381 ÷ 4 = 76,095.25

If the quotient is a whole number, then 4 and 76,095.25 are factors. In this case, the quotient is not a whole number. Don't write anything down and try the next divisor.

Here is what our table should look like at this step:

1 304,381
-1 304,381
Keep dividing by the next highest number until you cannot divide anymore.

If you did it right, you will end up with this table:

17115967774134696497373,9534,5435,15927,67143,483304,381
-1-7-11-59-67-77-413-469-649-737-3,953-4,543-5,159-27,671-43,483-304,381

More Examples

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